Electrical Properties of Solids

Introduction

The electrical properties of solids are quantified by conductivity. The capacity of a substance to transport electrical energy is referred to as its electrical conductivity. A good conductor may therefore easily carry electric current without melting, boiling, or otherwise changing its chemical makeup.

Solids don't all have the same electrical characteristics. Some of them conduct electricity quite well, whilst others do not at all. Solids can be categorised as insulators/conductors/semiconductors depending on a scale of conductivities from 10−20 𝑡𝑜 107 𝑜ℎ𝑚−1𝑚−1.

What are Solids?

Solid is one of the four fundamental states of matter. The molecules in a solid are closely clustered and have the lowest kinetic energy. A solid is defined by its structural stability and resistance to surface forces. Contrary to liquids, solids do not flow to conform to the shape of their containers or expand like gases to occupy the entire space. The matter has both physical and electrical qualities. Solids have a distinct form and volume. However, the electrical characteristics of solids vary greatly based on their chemical structure & content. 3 categories are used to group solids⇒conductors, semiconductors, & insulators.

Electrical Properties of Solids

The electrical characteristic of a substance is referred to as conductivity. The ability of a material to convey electrical energy is referred to as electrical conductivity. Therefore, a good electricity conductor can transfer energy readily without boiling, dissolving, or otherwise changing its chemical properties. All solids don't have the same electrical characteristics because various substances have varied levels of conductivity. Solids are divided into three primary groups based on their electrical conductivity: semiconductors, conductors, & insulators.

Conductors

Solids with high electrical conductivity are called conductors. They make it simple and quick for heat energy & electric currents to pass through them. Through the free passage of electrons between atoms in conductors, this energy transfer is made possible. They can spread this energy throughout their entire body when the current is only administered to one portion of their body. All metals are known to be the strongest conductors. The quantity of valence electrons in their atoms affects their conductivity. These electrons can move freely since they are not closely bonded together. The reason why metals carry heat and electricity so efficiently is because of the type of electrons that exist in their atoms. Metals have conductivities between 106 𝑎𝑛𝑑 108 𝑜ℎ𝑚−1𝑚−1, which allows the electric field to pass through them.

Insulators

Insulators are substances that conduct absolutely no electrical currents/energy, in contrast to conductors. They don't let any electric charge travel through them, or very little. They have a significant bandgap that blocks the passage of electricity. Several examples include glass, wood, rubber, etc. There is another application for insulators since they are very poor conductors. We use them to insulate conductors & semiconductors. For example, you might have seen plastic or some other type of polymer covering copper wires. They hold the wires & cables in place without allowing any electric current to pass through them. This is insulation for wires.

Semiconductor

Semiconductors are the material that lies between conductors & insulators. These are solids with the capacity to conduct an electric current across them, however only in specific circumstances.

Intrinsic Semiconductor

These substances are undoped semiconductors since there are no additional impurities because they are pure materials. Here, we provide the substance thermal energy, which causes vacancies to form in the valence bands. The energy can pass through because of this. However, these conductors aren't particularly robust and only have a few uses. Semiconductors that are external: Doped semiconductors are what these are. We add certain contaminants to the items to increase their conductivity. Extrinsic

semiconductors come in two varieties: n-type and p-type, respectively. As an illustration, we may improve the conductivity of silicon & germanium using this method. Due to their ability to regulate conductivity, semiconductors are the most crucial type of material. Semiconductors are mostly used in electronics applications because of this.

The electrical conductivity of a material and its thermal conductivity are closely connected. Metals are known to be effective electrical conductors. One molecule or atom's movement must be easily transmitted to its neighbour for a substance to conduct heat. Metals conduct heat easily since this sort of transmission is very simple due to the non-directional character of the metallic connection.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that one of the four fundamental states of matter is solid. The molecules of solids are closely packed and have the lowest kinetic energy. It features crucial physical characteristics like conductivity in addition to generic physical characteristics like fixed shape. The ability of a material to facilitate the movement of electrons and conduct electricity is referred to as conductivity. Solids are divided into three primary groups based on their electrical conductivity: semiconductors, conductors, & insulators.

FAQs

1. What are energy bands in a solid state? What role does the bandgap play in the explanation of the electrical characteristics of solid elements?

2 atomic orbitals unite to produce a molecular orbit in molecules, which has 2 separate energy levels and is referred to as an "energy band" band.

One of the key elements determining a solid's electrical properties is the bandgap. Conductors have either extremely tiny or no band gaps since the valence & conduction bands meet, whereas insulators have enormous band gaps, semiconductors have lower band gaps, and metals have neither.

2. How effectively do solids conduct electricity?

The solid's constituent particles are arranged in a definite place and are tightly packed. It is easier for heat to transmit and pass past during collisions because of the strong force between the nearby particles.

Due to their high electrical conductivity, solids are referred to as conductors. Heat and electricity may readily move through them since their conductivity is largely dependent on how many valence electron atoms they have.

3. What factors affect a material's electrical conductivity?

The capacity of a material's electrons to flow inside the material's structure determines the material's electrical conductivity. A substance is regarded as a good conductor of electricity if the electrons or charged particles may flow about freely inside the structure.

Ionic s

4. Solids don't conduct electric current, thus why?

As solids, ionic compounds won't conduct electricity. This is because ions are organised in an ionic lattice, which prevents them from moving freely within a solid. Conduction happens when an ionic material is dissolved in solution/ molten because the ionic lattice is disrupted, enabling the ions to flow about freely.

5. Why are metallic solids ductile & malleable electrical conductors?

A metallic bond refers to the force that holds a metal ion to many electrons within its field of effect. Because this force of attraction is powerful enough, metals have dense solid structures, which make them excellent conductors ductile & malleable, by nature.